Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 On Thursday, Labette brought a ton of energy and intensity to the park, as the Panthers split with the Cardinal.  Neosho lost the first game 6-5 and won the second game 8-6 thanks to a late inning rally.
The Panthers took an early lead in the first game thanks to a Connor Goedert solo blast in the top half of the first inning.  From that point on, Labette built a 6-1 lead thanks to a 3-run home run by catcher Dalton Powell off Neosho starter Jake Johnson.  Goedert answered again in the top of the third with a 2 run homer to pull the score to 6-3.  After a Spencer Ibarra homer in the top of the 5th and a Tyler Sutherland homer in the top of the 7th Neosho pulled to within 6-5.  That's where things started to get interesting.  Spencer Ibarra and Colton Crocker reached base, with Connor Goedert coming to the plate.  Labette starter Michael Hefferan was able to induce a pop out from Goedert and then struck out clean-up hitter Andy Young to hold on for the 6-5 victory.
Game two saw Neosho take a 3-1 lead through five complete innings.  In the bottom of the 6th, Labette chased Panther starter Matt Slauter by scoring 4 runs with two outs to take a 5-3 lead.  The Cardinal padded the lead in the 7th, plating another run to take a 6-3 advantage.  Neosho answered back with one in the top of the eighth thanks to an RBI groundout by Andy Young.  The Panther bats would come alive again in the top half of the ninth inning.  Tyler Sutherland's one out hit started the rally.  He was driven home on an RBI single by Spencer Ibarra.  After Ibarra moved to third base thanks to a wild pitch, Connor Goedert was intentionally walked.  With runners at the corner's, Andy Young hit an RBI double to tie the game at 6.  Designated hitter Craig Johnson followed with a 2 RBI double that gave Neosho the lead for good 8-6.  Dylan Christie slammed the door in the bottom of the 9th to get the save.  Freshman Brett Kendig earned his first win on the mound after throwing a scoreless eighth inning.
Neosho begins a six game home stand starting on Saturday, where they will finish the second half of the four game series against Labette.  The games are at Hudson Field and will begin at 1:00 P.M.